VI.

any of the more powerful states should be c A P. “allowed to extend their dominions, he used “ every exertion that the affairs of Italy might “be so balanced, that there should be no incli"nation in favour of any particular state; a cir"cumstance which could not take place without "the permanent establishment of peace, and “the minutest attention to every event, how"ever trivial it might appear." Such are the representations of this celebrated historian. It is only to be regretted that these prosperous days were of such short duration. Like a momentary calm that precedes the ravages of the tempest, they were scarcely enjoyed before they were past. The fabrick of the publick happiness, erected by the vigilance, and preserved by the constant care of Lorenzo, remained indeed firm 、 and compact during the short remainder of his days; but at his death it dissolved like the work of enchantment, and overwhelmed for a time in its ruins even the descendants of its founder.

CHAP. VII.

DIFFERENT progress of Italian and classical literature-Latin writings of Dante, Petrarca, and Boccaccio-Effects produced by themEmanuel Chrysoloras-Consequences of improvement-Progress of the Laurentian Library-Introduction of printing in FlorenceEarly editions of the classick authors-Politiano corrects the Pandects of Justinian-Miscellanea of Politiano-His controversy with Merula-Establishment of the Greek academy at Florence-Joannes Argyropylus-Demetrius Chalcondyles-English scholars at Florence -Political importance obtained by men of learning-Florentine secretaries-Bartolommeo Scala—His controversy with Politiano-Learned statesmen in other governments of Italy-Men of rank devote themselves to study-Pico of Mirandula-Learned women-Alessandra Scala-Cassandra Fidelis-Result of the attention shown to classical learning-TranslationsItalian writers of Latin poetry-LandinoUgolino and Michael Verini-Other Latin poets of the fifteenth century-Character of the Latin poetry of Politiano-General idea of the state of literature in Florence in the latter part of the fifteenth century.

gress of Ital

cal literature,

Or the improvement that took place in the Different proItalian language in the fourteenth century, ian and classi of its rapid and unexpected decline in that which succeeded, and of its restoration under the auspices of Lorenzo de' Medici, some account has already been given; but in tracing the history of the revival and progress of the ancient languages, we shall find, that as they were influenced by other causes, they neither flourished nor declined with the study of the national tongue. On the contrary, a daily pro

ficiency